Nature-Based Design in Stroke Rehabilitation Environments: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Design Research
• Environmental Psychology
• Neurorehabilitation

Background:

• Stroke survivors require extensive rehabilitation, with the physical environment impacting recovery.
• While nature connection benefits are known, evidence for nature-based design in stroke rehab is limited.
• The potential of nature-based design in stroke rehabilitation facilities requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map knowledge characteristics of nature-based design in stroke rehabilitation.
• To examine research methodologies employed in this field.
• To identify existing knowledge gaps in nature-based stroke rehabilitation design.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.
• Systematic searches conducted across six electronic databases.
• Inclusion of 28 studies investigating various aspects of nature in rehabilitation settings.

Main Results:

• Studies explored gardens, outdoor environments, natural analogues, and indoor nature.
• Findings covered design, use, exposure, and engagement with nature-based elements.
• Research aims and methods demonstrated considerable diversity.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge on nature-based design in stroke rehabilitation is diverse with notable evidence gaps.
• A developed framework aids in identifying knowledge gaps for healthcare design.
• This framework can be applied to other healthcare design research areas.